The Boston Red Sox's infield is loaded with talent and should be a strength for the organization in 2026.
Willson Contreras and Trevor Story are locks at first base and shortstop and there have been questions about the other spots, although the talent is there. Caleb Durbin was acquired by the Red Sox from the Milwaukee Brewers after losing Alex Bregman in free agency. Marcelo Mayer can play both second base and third base and should be in line for a big opportunity in 2026, despite the fact that the club hasn't officially confirmed that he will be with the big league club out of camp.
Throughout Spring Training, one question that has hung over the team the entire time is who could play at third base and second base on Opening Day. On Tuesday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora all but confirmed that it will be Durbin at third base on Opening Day, as transcribed by MassLive.com's Sean McAdam.
"Caleb, he’s playing third base again [Tuesday],” Cora said, as transcribed by McAdam. “We’ll probably decided that next week. But I feel very comfortable with him at third base. Honestly, [the intrigue] is more for [reporters]. It’s kind of like, ‘What are we going to do? [It’s been] five [straight] days of playing third base. He played the whole season. ... It’s more for you guys than me. Like, what are we looking for? Two ground balls in spring training. You know, so ...
"Sometimes we make a big deal out of spring training and positions...I don’t think because you take five ground balls at third base makes you a better third baseman. There’s more than comes into play — metrics, your first step, projections. But I think at the end of the day, it’s who we feel more comfortable with and which position and also the player. I don’t want Caleb to be moving from second to third during the season. I want him to play one position only and then just go do your thing at the plate."
So, while there was some speculation early on in camp, it's pretty safe to assume that Durbin will be the guy at third base moving forward.